Partition for luggage



Nov. 28, 1939.

J. H. PLOTKIN 2.181, 587

PARTITION FOR LUGGAGE Filed April 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1%.]

NOV. 28, 1939. TK I 2,181,587

PARTITION FOR" LUGGAGE Filed April 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eatented Nov. 28, 1939 use STATES PARTITION FOR LUGGAGE Joseph Dresner & Son, tion of Illinois 11. Plotkin, ChicagmIlL, assignor a s.

Inc., Chicago, Ill., acorpora- Application April 2, 1938, Serial No. 199,545

1 Claim.

An object of this invention is to provide a light but strong swinging partition for use in luggage cases, such as Gladstone bags, wardrobe cases and the like whenever a swinging partition is used. This invention is intended more particularly for use in luggage adapted for airplane travel where light weight is of prime importance.

This and other objects, as will hereinafter appear, are accomplished by this invention which is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of hand luggage opened to show an embodiment of the invention; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of a wire frame for the partition;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial section on the line 3 of Fig. 1; I v

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of used in the partition of Fig. 4; 1

Fig. 6 is a partial enlarged section on the line 6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a catch as used in the luggage case of Fig. 4.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a case composed of two matching sections Ill, ll having a hinge I2 of any well known form with a partition l3 secured to one or both of the sections, preferably at the hinge. This partition instead of being made solid as heretofore has commonly been done consists of a hollow frame 54 composed preferably of round wire, the ends of which are secured together at H: as by means of an electric butt weld.

This frame is then covered by means of two plies of fabric l6, I! which lie on the two sides of the frame to provide a body therefor, the fabric a wire frame as plies being secured thereto by stitching l8 within the frame, the fabric extending below the frame at H! to provide a twoply strip for attaching the partition to the case. The strips of fabric l9 extending below the frame are secured together by means of a line of stitching 20. If desired, the fabric plies l6, I! may be secured together by means of a suitable adhesive 2| between their contiguous surfaces.

The partition thus formed is quite strong owing to the fact that it is braced in two directions by at least two plies of fabric, At the same time the wire frame here employed is much lighter than the cardboard filler heretofore used in partitions for this purpose.

In Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive is shown a modified form of the invention for use with hard cases wherein there are two meeting case sections 3|,

32 hingedly connected in any suitable manner so N that they swing substantially about a line 33, and

are provided'with a partition 34 embodying the present invention and adapted to separate the two compartments formed by the case sections. The partition is provided with a wire frame 35 outlining the same and covered by fabric plies 3'! which lie on the two sides of the frame and are secured together by a line of stitching 3 8.

The fabric strips extend somewhat below the frame to form an edge 39 for attaching the partiion within the bag, and this edge is provided with a line of stitching '40. The frame 35 is provided with laterally extending pins 35, 35 which are adapted to engage a spring pressed detent 4| (Figs. 4, and 7) which is enclosed within a housing 42 which is secured within the sides of the case section 3|. The user pressing inwardly upon the ends of the partition forces the pins 35 35 into engagement with the detents or catches placed one at each side of the bag, thereby causing the pins to snap over these detents and to be yieldably held thereby. When it is desired to move the partition the user pulls out on it causing these pins to again pass-over the detent which yields to permit the pin to pass.

Any means such as that which has just been described for supporting the upper portion of the partition also serves to transfer stress through the partition from one portion of the case to the other so as to act as a reinforcing and stiffening means.

Thus it will be seen that a form of partition is provided for cases of various types which is applicable to Gladstones, wardrobe cases, and the like, wherever an inside swinging partition is used. The frame construction here shown permits of a substantial saving in weight, at the same time providing a relatively stiff and strong partition for luggage of the types indicated.

I claim:

In a luggage bag having two complementary hin ed sections, a partition disposed between the sections for separating the two compartments formed by the sections, said partition comprising a frame of wire conforming substantially to the configuration of the bag sections and provided at its ends with inwardly extending bends forming recesses opening outwardly, latch engaging pins located within the recesses and rigidly connected to the inner portions of said bends, a fabric body consisting of two sheets of fabric stretched taut within the frame with the marginal edges of the sheets extended over and around the wire and back upon the fabric for connection therewith, the fabric being extended beyond one side of the frame to provide a flexible attaching strip, and means for connecting the attaching strip to the bag whereby to provide a hinged mounting for the partition between the complementary sections of the bag.

JOSEPH H. PLO'IKIN. 

